GWU vs. WCU

Gardner Webb University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Gardner Webb University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: GWU (77.2% admitted vs 81.8%). Typical SAT 1090 vs 1180.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $20,016 at GWU.
  • Graduation: GWU 55% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: GWU $40,500 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Gardner Webb University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
GWU more selective
GWU77.2%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
GWU975-1198
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $6,249 less
GWU$20,016
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $30,130 less
GWU$34,760
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $26,130 less
GWU$34,760
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
GWU +5 pts
GWU55%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
GWU +$1,400
GWU$40,500
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • GWU 5,212
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • GWU 4,024
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • GWU 77.2%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • GWU 11.2%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • GWU 1090
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • GWU 22
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • GWU 3.74
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • GWU A-
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • GWU Easy
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • GWU
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • GWU 975-1198
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • GWU 19-25
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • GWU Test optional
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • GWU
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • GWU $34,760
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • GWU $34,760
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • GWU $11,410
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • GWU $20,016
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • GWU $27,088
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • GWU 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • GWU 55%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • GWU $40,500
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • GWU 52%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • GWU $24,969
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • GWU $258
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • GWU 12:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • GWU
    • Business (30%)
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Education (5%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (4%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • GWU Boiling Springs, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • GWU Rural Fringe
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • GWU 3,104
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • GWU Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • GWU #691
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Gardner Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than GWU based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 3,104 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Gardner Webb University is located in Boiling Springs, NC (Rural Fringe setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Gardner Webb University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Gardner Webb University 12:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gardner Webb University are 7.6% lower than at Western Carolina University ($11,410 vs. $12,354).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 302.8% higher at GWU than at Western Carolina University (about $26,130 more per year; $34,760 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gardner Webb University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Gardner Webb University students is 352% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($27,088 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • Incoming GWU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at WCU (22).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both GWU and WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at GWU average a 3.74 high school GPA, 0.3 higher than at WCU (3.44).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.2% at GWU vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $2,959 lower median loan debt than GWU graduates ($22,010 vs. $24,969).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GWU graduates ($227 vs. $258).
  • More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GWU students, three years after graduation (58% vs. 52%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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